Tyres

[robmurray]

Which tyres do we have on our Dinos and do you have any recommendations? My Coupe has 15 year old 205/70 14 Yokahamas which are too old to stay in use. I could go for modern tyres (Falken) and save a lot of money or should I go for Michelin XWX, Vredstein or Blockley and look the part but be £1000 poorer? My car is very original.
Advice appreciated as always
Rob

[Tobi]

This has often been discussed. The XWX are very expensive, but original. And they are very good. Vredestein look original and are a bit less expensive.
Regarding other brands, it is very hard to find this size with the correct speed index. I don't know if this is important for you, but in Germany, it is not allowed to drive tyres with insufficient speed index. This makes the choice small. We hadn't a chance to buy any tyres at all until Michelin produced XWX again two years ago. Now Vredestein seem to be available again and I've heard that Fulda produces this size again, but in a modern look.
Especially if you have a very original car, I'd suggest the XWXs. This is an investment for the next 6+ years since wear is not an issue.

[ThomasK]

Currently I know only 3 possibilities for 205/70 VR14:
Michelin - Most original but around 300 Euro euch
Vredestein - modern tyre with old looking Profile around 200 Euro each
Maxxis - quite New on the Market. Modern Profile around 100 Euro each

[Barnfind]

There are a lot more options now coming from China and Korea. All around 50 eur each..

I've gone with Vredestein..

Regards..

[doublegarage]

Vredestein for me - 205/70-14.

I like the look of the XWX and Pirelli replicas available but I object to paying a lot of money for a tyre whose technology may also be 40 years old. Tyre functionality has improved by orders of magnitude since the late 60s and I like to think the Vredestein tyres possess some of that improvement. I've never read that the "modern" XWX tyres are anything but a copy of the old carcass, and therefore its performance.

-Richard

[Tobi]

I've experienced a great improvement when changing from 'modern' Bridgestone to 'modern' XWX. Some other Dino drivers have also said that the new XWX are excellent. I rather think that only the look is from the 60s and the internals and rubber mixtures are modern (like the Vredesteins).
I've paid the extra cost for the XWX since the gap from the Vredesteins is not that big (about 40 Euros each tyre). However, I'd have chosen regular tyres if they would have been available at a regular price.

[doublegarage]

Thanks Tobi - that's great if they are in fact modern technology. Michelin should talk more about that. They'd sell more, the price could come down and I would buy some!

I wonder if the Chinese takeover of Pirelli will have an effect on their manufacture of old/replica tires. All they have to do is bring back the P4000 and not make the lettering 5cm tall.

-Richard

[robmurray]

Thanks for all of your help. In the end I have ordered some XWXs. I agree that Vredstein is a great (better?) tyre but with the Euro / Sterling exchange rate I was able to buy Michelins from Germany at a similar price. What swung it between the two for me was the look of the Michelins and their classic status. I will report back on what they are like compared to my very old Yokahamas.